Lucca & The Lucchese Hills

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Fly to Pisa

  We fly to Pisa and transfer just 30 minutes to Lucca where we stay in the lovely 4 star San Luca Palace, located centrally but quietly in a mediaeval square within the city walls.

• Day 2 - Giacomo Puccini

  TToday we will begin our exploration of Lucca with visits to its cathedral, San Martino, with important sculptures and San Michele in Foro with its close associations with the Puccini family. Giacomo Puccini was born in Lucca in 1858 and later today we’ll visit his birthplace, now a museum dedicated to the composer’s life and music.

• Day 3 - San Frediano

  The morning is spent visiting the Romanesque church of San Frediano and the Villa Guinigi which houses an important collection of local and regional art works. The afternoon is free for independent exploration – perhaps a wander through the cobbled streets, around the Renaissance city walls, or a relaxing afternoon enjoying one of the charming alfresco bars and cafés.

• Day 4 - Lucchese Hills

  This morning we drive to Pistoia, a lovely small town whose fortunes were eclipsed by its more powerful and wealthier neighbours, Lucca and Florence. We will explore the compact historic centre and visit the cathedral of San Zeno Duomo, the Baptistery with its typical Tuscan Gothic green and white striped marble. There will be time to enjoy a coffee in the historic Café Valiani – Puccini often stopped by for a macchiato. Returning back to Lucca we will visit the smallest public theatre in the world – the Teatro Vetriano, located just outside the city in the Lucchese Hills. Built in 1890 and donated to the community by an enlightened farmer, the theatre was saved from ruin by FAI – the Italian equivalent of our own National Trust.

• Day 5 - Campo dei Miracoli & return flight

  En route to the airport we will visit Pisa to see the Romanesque Campo dei Miracoli, dominated by the famous Leaning Tower.